Ray recently released his sixth studio album, Vintage Is Now, an evocative collection of originals steeped in a seamless mix of jazz, blues and rock; a shout-out that this musician has arrived. Produced by veteran Terry Brown (Rush/Klaatu/Max Webster) - Vintage shows Ray in peak form, as composer and guitarist.

Born in Ottawa, Ray began learning by ear and woodshedding with the great rock records of that era. After studying audio engineering, production, and performance in the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College and doing a term in the music program at Humber, he began writing and recording his own music, and by 1995 was dedicating most of his priorities in that discipline.

Between 1994-'97, he was the guitar player for the Rankins and from 1997-'99, Mary Jane Lamond. His compositions have been heard on National CBC radio and have been licensed for various television series. For more than 15 years Ray and his rhythm section, featuring some of Canada's best players, have played for audiences and loyal fans at music festivals, clubs, theatres, house concerts and private parties. They toured parts of Europe in 2001, shared the stage with the Tony Levin Band (alumnae of Peter Gabriel) in 2003 and sold out the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto for the release of A Fragile Balance in 2007.

Recently, they played the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts to a sold-out audience, the Oakville Jazz Festival (2010 and 2012), Markham Jazz Festival (2012), and the Canadian Guitar Festival (2009, 2011 and 2014).

Ray has gratefully received support from the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Factor and External Affairs as well as sponsorship from Totem Acoustic and Paradigm for his compostions, recording and performances. He has been a juror for the Toronto Arts Council's Composer Program and twice for the Gemini awards. Periodically, he scores original music to picture.

"Ray Montford is a sensitive and exploratory musician who combines traditional techniques with exciting world music influences."
Atom Egoyan

"As hypnotic as a highway at night, always-moving, always-changing scenery, the kind of music you hear on an old car radio in the middle of nowhere."
- Denis Armstrong, Ottawa Sun

The Early Sessions

A Fragile Balance

Many Roads

One Step Closer

Shed Your Skin

Vintage is Now